Courageous Pete: The Vocation Story of Fr. Pete Lamata

Fr. Pete (center) has been one of the primemovers of interreligious dialogue with Abp. Emeritus Capalla and Ustadz Mahmod Mala Adilao.

“Family is the seedbed of vocations,” Fr. Pedro “Pet” Lamata, DCD, affirms. He remembers that as a young child, he and his family would kneel down together to pray the Rosary in front of the altar every evening. Going to Holy Mass was also a family affair.

The Confession Box in the Church caught his curiosity. He wondered what the priest was doing inside before he celebrates the Holy Mass. “It mesmerized me and created a mystery that led me to find answers,” Fr. Pet recalls.

He learned that Fr. Carol Bernard, PME, their parish priest, would hear confession before he starts Mass. Such consistency attracted and inspired him that when he later became a priest himself he tried to emulate his example.

His religious upbringing was reinforced in school through the catechetical instruction he received (Bunawan Elementary School and University of Mindanao (High School) Ilang-Tibungco Branch). His high school principal even had them participate in the cleaning of the church and its surroundings.

Did all these foster an awareness of a vocation to the priesthood?

Besides the religious atmosphere at home, the chance discovery of a picture of his father wearing a cassock or sutana encouraged him to follow in his footsteps. His father being an ex-seminarian.

This initial stirring was encouraged when XACOSE seminarians with their vocation director visited his class for a vocation campaign and invited them for a weekend in the seminary. Being a basketball enthusiast, the seminary gymnasium was an added attraction. He thought, “It is good to study here so I could develop my basketball skills.”

He got his wish and not only playing his favorite sport but also coaching the varsity team. His skill in officiating the game was fostered by the sports activities he organized in their place, where his father served as the barangay captain, as well as the trainings he received during his summer vacation.

Not only basketball skills came in handy but also his involvement in the Expression Skills inter-UM Schools’ competition.

It appears that he had more involvement in the barangay as he helped his father but this had developed his leadership skills, so relevant to his chosen vocation. His parents spirituality coupled with a consistent catechetical instruction nurtured his vocation as well.

Seminary life was impressive to him but there were also challenges to surmount and thanks to his solid religious foundation he overcome them. For example, after his Theology he thought of deferring his ordination until he turns 28. He wanted to experience how to be self-supporting by getting a job. For him, he seemed lacking in self-sacrifice for all throughout his studies he was financially provided for by his parents, benefactors and cousin from the US.

He consulted a Dominican priest over this who told him that he does not need it and that in his opinion he was already prepared for the diaconate.

Fr. Pet believed and obeyed. He acknowledges his mother’s simplicity and dedication to her family as influential. For her, it was always family first. In his case, it must be the priesthood first. Thus, on March 31, 1980, at the age of 25, he was ordained a priest.

Fr. Pet reflects on the importance of a family especially in nurturing vocation. Hence, he shares with the youth that “It’s good that you have to grow up in your families and rediscover the family especially in terms of practicing religiosity and morality in the context of family relations. Family is the seedbed of vocations: priesthood and religious life.”

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